A Certain Ratio’s (Village, March 10th) Martin
Moscrop tells me that his band no longer play gigs
to earn a living, they only do them if promoters ask
them to. Consequently, while they have some new tunes,
they are not touring a new album. “We do mix
the old stuff with the new stuff, just to keep the
fans sweet.” Though a product of Manchester's
late ’70s punk scene, the band used an increasing
amount of electronics throughout the ’80s to
become more of a dancefloor-oriented band, much like
one-time Factory label-mates New Order. “But
there’re no computers on the new stuff, and
less electronics.” All the more surprising,
given Martin’s reputation as something of a
studio whiz. When I quiz him about the past, he says
he is very proud of being from Manchester, and the
collegiate ethos that prevails among the city’s
musical fraternity. He also confirms Factory boss
Tony Wilson’s ad man summation of A Certain
Ratio. “It’s true, we did dress better
than Joy Division.”